Over 600 cops arrested in Gauteng

Crime & Courts / 2 May 2012, 3:14pm

SAPA

Cape Town - 090127 - At Khayelitsha's Nonceba Hall on National Police Day there was a meeting to help organize how local organizations could assist the police in dealing with community issues. Photo by Skyler Reid.

More than 600 police officers have been arrested in Gauteng since April last year, provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Mzwandile Petros said in Pretoria on Wednesday.

Many of the arrests were attributable to tip-offs from community members, he said.

“If there is one thing the people of this province are sick of, it's corruption in the police,” he told the national press club in Pretoria.

“It's good news that 600 police have been arrested (because) you want to be working hand-in-glove with people you trust.”

The SA Police Service was not shy to investigate and arrest those within its ranks who could not be trusted, Petros said.

There were also concerns about criminals operating in private security companies.

“I shudder to think how many who don't take the (police) oath are involved in crime.”

The leaders of security companies had been “very co-operative” with the police in dealing with the problem, he said.

Brigadier Neville Malila said the majority of crimes committed by police officials related to fraud and corruption. – Sapa